Caitlin Clark points, stats, highlights tonight 5/20/25 for Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream

The Indiana Fever fell to 1-1 on the 2025 WNBA season on Tuesday, as they were defeated by the Atlanta Dream by a score of 91-90.

While the Fever put together a nice comeback in the fourth quarter, they ultimately weren't able to overcome poor free-throw shooting and the Dream taking a whopping 32 free throws of their own, which led to Indiana's first loss.

Referee mishaps were a big story in the first half, as there were three calls made on the floor that were challenged by the team's two head coaches (two by Fever coach Stephanie White and one by Dream head coach Karl Smesko) which required replay reviews. After the replay, all three initial calls were overturned.

Fever star guard Caitlin Clark conveyed her frustration with the referees (and how long it took for the replays to occur) when speaking with the media after the game.

"I mean, to me, challenges cannot take that long. It ruins the flow of the game," Clark said, per a video from Scott Agness' YouTube account. "I get it. It's early in the year, the refs want to make the right call. We can't sit there for two and a half, three minutes on an obvious hit out of bounds off of them, and still not know the call.

"That's not the only reason the flow of the game was ruined, but we're just standing there, and we're waiting, and we're waiting, and we're waiting," Clark continued.

"It's tough when Coach White is put in a position to have to use both her challenges in the first half on calls that were pretty point blank, and then we're left with none there in the second half."

End Q1: Dream 31, Fever 23

The Dream got off to a sizzling start in this one, tallying eight points before Indiana could get their second basket. While the Fever did make a slight comeback in the middle of the quarter, the Dream eventually pulled away at the end, finishing the first ten minutes on a 13-7 run.

What really stands out is the lack of three-point attempts from Indiana. The Dream attempted 11 shots from beyond the arc in the first, while Indiana only attempted two, both from Caitlin Clark. While Atlanta only went 2-of-11 from three, it's clearly opening up the Dream down low as they shot over 50% from the floor in the first quarter.

Atlanta's Brionna Jones leads all scorers with 11 points so far. Clark has five for the Fever.

End Q2: Dream 44, Fever 42

After scoring only five points in the first quarter, Caitlin Clark more than tripled her output in the second, recording 11 points and sinking 2-of-3 shots from deep.

Clark has three triples on the night on five attempts, matching the Dream's total three-pointers on less than one-third of the attempts. After attempting 11 three-pointers in the first, the Dream cooled off a bit, shooting just five in the second, but the team went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.

While the Dream starters have been able to build leads for their team, the Dream have struggled when going to their bench. Not a single starter has a negative plus-minus through the first half, but their bench is a combined -12 on the night. If the Dream starters are forced out of the game, Indiana might have an easy time securing the win in the second half.

End Q3: Dream 76, Fever 65

Atlanta opened things up in the third quarter.

Rhyne Howard was on another level to start the third, knocking down three three-pointers in the first minute and a half to spark an 11-0 run for the Dream. After Indiana got to within five at 57-52, Atlanta proceeded on a 15-7 run during the next three minutes to take a 14-point lead.

Caitlin Clark has a game-high 19 points with eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Natasha Howard has a team-best 18 points for the Dream and Brionna Jones has 16 points and nine rebounds.

A late rally by Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever fell just short as the Atlanta Dream won 91-90 in a thrilling finish at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Fever trailed by 11 entering the final quarter but started the fourth on an 11-4 run, keyed by two 3-pointers from Clark and one by Lexie Hull to make it 80-76. After the Dream worked their lead back up to nine with 4:33 to go, the Fever found another gear. Indiana proceeded on a 12-2 run, led by Kelsey Mitchell's seven points, which included the game-tying layup with 1:04 remaining.

After a defensive stand on each end, Indiana's Aliyah Boston was sent to the free throw line, where she missed the first and made the second to give the Fever a 90-89 lead with 21.1 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Atlanta's Rhyne Howard was fouled by Mitchell with 9.1 seconds on the clock. Howard made both of her free throws to make it 91-90.

Indiana's Natasha Howard missed her shot at the buzzer to secure Atlanta's win.

Clark finished with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-20 shooting, which included a 5-for-11 mark on 3-pointers. Clark added 11 assists, five rebounds and two steals. Brittney Griner led the Dream with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Howard scored 20.

Caitlin Clark stats tonight

Points: 27

Field goal shooting: 9 for 20

Free throw shooting: 4 for 6

3-point shooting: 5 for 11

Rebounds: 5

Assists: 11

Steals: 2

Blocks: 0

Turnovers: 3

Fouls: 3

Dream starting lineup

Te-Hina Paopao

Allisha Gray

Rhyne Howard

Brionna Jones

Brittney Griner

Fever starting lineup

Caitlin Clark

Kelsey Mitchell

DeWanna Bonner

Natasha Howard

Aliyah Boston

Fever vs. Dream highlights